5 questions with Heidi Crowley, Shorecliffs' new principal

Shorecliffs Elementary School has a new principal, but she's a familiar face in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Heidi Crowley, a 22-year employee of the district and current assistant principal at Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo was announced as the successor to Shorecliffs principal Kenny Moe, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

While she is new to the San Clemente school scene, she is not a stranger to working at a middle school. She began her career in 1992 at Niguel Hills Middle School as an English teacher.

Crowley is a resident of Laguna Niguel and her parents live in San Clemente and are excited she'll be working so close to them, she said.

Q. What are the major differences between working at a middle school compared to a high school and what are some of the challenges associated with each?

A. I spent 12 years as a middle school teacher and I am currently ending my 10th year as an administrator at the high school. I have loved my time at each level, but am looking forward to getting back to my middle school roots.Ã¯Â¿Â½ At the high school, students are completing their 12-year educational journey and preparing themselves for college and career. Middle school provides that intermediary piece for students as they transition from elementary school and develop the confidence needed to meet the level of rigor they face at high school.Ã¯Â¿Â½ My years at Aliso Niguel provided me with a unique perspective on the tools our middle school students need to flourish in high school. My goal will be to ensure that our students leave Shorecliffs with a toolbox filled with knowledge and strategies to ensure their success.

Q. Why did you want to take on this new role of middle school principal?

A. I have spent the last two years at Aliso Niguel focusing my energy on re-emphasizing best practice instructional strategies through staff development and peer coaching opportunities. As middle school principal and instructional leader, I am excited about the chance to lead a staff through the implementation phase of the Common Core State Standards.Ã¯Â¿Â½ These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers.Ã¯Â¿Â½ I look forward to working with the Shorecliffs teachers as we prepare our students to be 21stÃ¯Â¿Â½ century learners.

Q. Are there any big changes you want to bring to Shorecliffs right away or are you going to spend time getting to know the school before you make any changes?

A. My first goal is to get on campus and meet the students, staff and parents. I want to hear what they have to say about the school, the successes they are proud of, areas for focus and ideas for improvement.Ã¯Â¿Â½ As a school community, we will use thisÃ¯Â¿Â½ information to develop a vision and then create a system to provide the necessary structure to implement the vision.

Q. You have some big shoes to fill, but what can you tell parents and students to make them more at ease with the transition from current principal Kenny Moe to you?Ã¯Â¿Â½

A. I have known and loved Kenny Moe for more than 20 years. When I was a teacher at Newhart Middle School, Kenny was the assistant principal I turned to when I needed guidance or support.Ã¯Â¿Â½ When I became the activities director at Newhart and Aliso Niguel High School, I always wanted to model my attitude and level of enthusiasm after Kenny.Ã¯Â¿Â½ Like Kenny, I really enjoy working with middle school students. I know what a unique age this is and I look forward to working with parents as we transition their children.

Q. Do you partake in any interesting activities or have a hobby you do in your free time when not at school?

A. I am a former marathon runner who has been sidelined with a knee injury. I love to work out and go to Cross Fit, spin and boot camp style classes several times a week. I also love to read, work on craft projects and ride my beach cruiser.

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